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The total count of fatalities from the freight aircraft that ignited and crashed has now risen to 13, according to recent reports.

Official's Statement

Traveling to the Workers’ candlelight gathering, I learned of a 13th person that died as a result of the aircraft accident,” wrote the city mayor in a public communication. “My heart is with the relatives, associates and co-workers of all who were lost in this recent tragedy. We will endure this together.”

Victims Confirmed

A statement from UPS named the pilots aboard the aircraft as Captain Richard Wartenberg, Co-pilot Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Dana Diamond.

“Our sympathies go out to each employee who has been affected and everyone in our local area – helping you and ensuring you obtain the attention and aid you need is our priority,” the organization’s message stated.

Probe Updates

Government authorities announced that the jet’s left wing caught fire and an power plant separated just after takeoff from the aviation hub, causing the aircraft to crash and erupt into a fireball.

The National Transportation Safety Board stated it is investigating the aircraft’s maintenance history, which was in the state for maintenance several weeks before the accident.

Aircraft information indicated the plane was on the ground in San Antonio, Texas from early September to mid-October.

“We are cognizant that this aircraft was there in that city,” said an investigator on the following day, not giving a precise time frame. “We will look at every piece of maintenance that was performed, even the repair period, straight to the date of the flight.”

Recovery of Vital Components

The audio device and flight data recorder were found, and the engine was discovered on the airfield.

The recorders – called data containers – were built to withstand accident forces and severe heat from blazes, and they seemed to be intact when discovered among the crash debris. Authorities plan on reviewing recordings from the recorders.

The plane’s last flight details displayed an elevation of 475 ft and a speed of that speed prior to the impact.

Repair Record

Based on Federal Aviation Administration files from that date, a fissure on a component in the center wing fuel tank needed repairs.

The company ST Engineering, which said it supplies aircraft servicing for the carrier’s jet and operates a repair facility in San Antonio, chose not to comment, but expressed it would cooperate fully when officials reached out it.

Services Continue

In the meantime, UPS Worldport operations continued that evening with its express or evening procedure, official a representative stated. The three landing strips at Louisville Muhammad Ali international airport were also open again.

The distribution hub in this location is the firm’s biggest. The hub employs over a large number of individuals in the area, processes numerous flights daily and organizes in excess of a huge volume of items an hour.

Community Response

A gathering was organized on the late afternoon of recently by the local worker’s group, which acts for employees at the airfield, the company’s biggest freight center.

Teamsters Local 89, which represents employees, started the vigil with a moment of silence at the evening hour, the approximate hour of the incident two days earlier.

“This tragedy was so unexpected, so unexpected,” the official addressed the crowd of two hundred. “No one had a moment to say goodbye to any one of those who we have said farewell to.”